Dovetail joints is a common technique used in woodworking with some of the earliest known samples dating back to ancient Egypt. Today, this joinery method is widely used as one of the solutions to a durable construction of kitchen cabinets. If you shop around for cabinetry locally or via the Internet, you will notice this feature in most offered products. And this article discusses the essentials about dovetailed drawer construction and why this is an important factor to look into when buying your own collection of cabinet units.

Dovetailed Drawer Construction is mainly created by the wedge shaped cut channels known as tails and pins. The interlocking of these trapezoidal parts is the key to strength of the drawers as well as adds an interesting pattern and makes the pieces more attractive. These are then glued together for added security but even if they left unglued, these parts remain immovable. The strong joint makes your kitchen cabinets more resistant to force and damages. Other than drawers, this is also a joint style popularly used in making frames, furniture, and storage boxes.

Dovetailed drawer construction showcases the craftsmanship of cabinet makers. This pattern can be seen in many antiques. The interlocking sides are tapered and can be put together in only one direction. Meaning, if you slide it in, there is not other way to disassemble the pieces than by sliding it out again. This is among the most recognizable features indicating high-end craftsmanship and quality in wood furniture and cabinetry.

Aside from the durability and decorative benefits of dovetailed drawer construction, you can now create these woodworking joints easier with advanced tools. But even with modern equipment, carving these out in fine details will still require a fair amount of patience, skill, and craft. It is crucial that the joints are marked and cut accurately. Today, homeowners do not have to go through all the ordeal of woodworking as the advancements in technology has allowed manufacturing facilities to achieve perfect dovetails for kitchen cabinets.

With dovetailed drawer construction, the angle of slopes varies depending on the type of wood used. Generally, a slope of 1:6 is used for softwoods while a shallower slope of 1:8 is applied for hardwood kitchen cabinets. There are various types under this joint woodworking technique.

• Through or plain dovetails are commonly used in creating boxes and are traditionally covered by veneer.

• Half blind dovetails have tails housed in sockets situated at the end of boards and are usually used for attaching drawer fronts.

• Full-blind dovetails are implemented in fine wood work where strength is required without the obvious sight of interlocking pins and tails. This is also called "French Dovetail" and is commonly used in boxes and fine cabinetry.

• Sliding dovetails are by far the most popular with a range of many uses. The method involves two boards at right angles and is assembled by sliding tails into the sockets. Commonly used for: shelves to cabinet side joints, cabinet bottom to side joints, joining horizontal shelf partitions, drawer front to side joints, as well as joining front rails of frames to cabinet sides.